All-Star Ballots -- HUH?

[EpiK-KA14]

The good news: Markov made the ballot for the 'Canes, along with Ron, Rod, and Jeff.

The bad news: They left off Cole and Weekes.

No offense to our captain, but Francis' play has been nothing compared to what Cole has done.

(Why can't I ever be happy??? :D)

[lvscolencanes]

I agree with that one, Cole def. needs to be on there, not to mention Shady, he really really needed to be acknoledge for his work!!

[VandyCane]

I'm glad for the guys listed, but I too thought, where's Colesy? All-star ballots are significantly based on the previous year's performance. I guess since he broke his leg last year he fell off the radar. :crazy: I'll keep writing him in (and Weekes too).

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I don't agree.



No offense to our captain, but Francis' play has been nothing compared to what Cole has done.

I assume you mean this year (otherwise that statement is completely laugable) but the selections aren't *really* based on this year's play, are they? Cole and Weekes don't have near the history Ron, Rod, O'Neill nor Markov have. It will take them both a little longer with consistently good play to make the ballot, IMO. This is only Cole's 3rd year in the league! And Weekes hasn't been a #1 before now and hasn't put up consistently all-star numbers yet. Their turns will come in time. Look how long it's taken O'Neill. He hit 40 goals how many seasons ago?

Sure glad to see Markov with a shot!!

[lvscolencanes]

Great point SHC, didnt think about it that way... :D

[nccanes]

And it's only for the starting lineup anyway. I think any Cane is a super, super long shot for that.

[MoBigRed]

The whole All-Star charade is based more on reputation than current performance; that's made evident by the fact the ballot is released so early. If it was performance-based, they'd hold off much longer before releasing a ballot.

It's all about revenue, and the big names will bring in the big bucks more than rookie or sophomore sensations who haven't had time to become household names not only around the league, but also to the casual hockey fan who only shows up for the All-Star Game and the playoffs.

[EpiK-KA14]

It's supposed to be based on CURRENT performance. (Remember last year's All-Star MVP?)

Hopefully if Cole & Shady keep up their play they will both be there (along with Markov) this year.

[Turbulence]

And it's only for the starting lineup anyway. I think any Cane is a super, super long shot for that.

At this point, with Le Magnifique playing, yes. But last year Francis was 2nd to Lemieux...and no other Center got close.

Just to make a prediction, Weekes will play in the All-Star Game. You heard it hear first.

I'm starting my crusade to get Ron Francis to the starting C spot. I'm going to vote every day to make sure he gets the votes he did last year.

[Lady J]

Could someone post the link to the voting site?

[Stormbringer]

Could someone post the link to the voting site?

The voting site won't be up until the day after tomorrow. :)

[Canesluver]

It's supposed to be based on CURRENT performance.

Well.... in a perfect world..... it'd be based on performance, but that ain't the way it works in the real world.

All-Star Any Sport games are ALWAYS popularity contests. If it wasn't, why are we allowed to vote as many times as we want? That's just the way it is. We're in a small market, and the vast majority of our players fly under the radar, so you can't expect to get too many voting choices.

And I'd have to disagree about "Current performance." Noms are picked based on what they did the previous year, and since we royally sucked last year, we should be happy we have any nominations AT ALL.

[StormShaman]

when it's up, everybody please write in the following on the Western Conference side of the ballot:

MAREK MALIK D VANCOUVER

kkthx :kiss: :smoke:

[crazy4canes]

Hey Malik is kickin' a** in the +/- dept. once again this year. Too bad he didn't make it on the ballot.

[BamBamCaneFan]

Not to sound like the bad guy, but Weekes and Cole do need to prove themselves some more. Weekes did not have an All-star year last year, and we wont know about this year for another 25 games or so. WE know the Cole has the talent, but his time off last year takes him out of the eyes of the almighty "ballot name writer inner people" (I dont know what you call them, if you couldnt figure that out)

Weekes and Cole are young with a lot of hockey in front of them, they will get there. ;)

[StormShaman]

Hey Malik is kickin' a** in the +/- dept. once again this year. Too bad he didn't make it on the ballot.

He won't make it on the ballot unless he has a Lidstrom-like year--so I'm once again mounting a write-in campaign to get him to the All-Star Game, because dammit I want to be able to put yet another Malik jersey on my list of things to buy when I get the caysh. :D

[Shell]

I'm gonna have to vote for Cujo lots too.. I'd love to see him beat Hasek!

[Stormbringer]

I'm gonna have to vote for Cujo lots too.. I'd love to see him beat Hasek!

Me too...Cujo for my Western goalie vote, and Weekes for my Eastern! :smoke:

[Hellas1982]

Like others said, this is only the starter selection, and I doubt it that any of the Canes will make it, so I am not too discouraged about that. But I will be looking for some Canes like Vasicek, O'Neill, Cole, Brindy, and Weekes to get some looks!!!

[Stormbringer]

The voting has begun...ALLEZ CUISINE!

http://www.nhl.com/allstar2004/US-allstar.html

[Lady J]

I'm gonna have to vote for Cujo lots too.. I'd love to see him beat Hasek!

Amen sister. :evil:

[cmw00]

Can we vote multiple times?

Just one time for one of these fan picked allstar games (in any sport), I'd like to get a mass voting of some bench rider and vote them into the allstar game!

Lets all vote for Svoboda or Daniels!!!

[Shell]

yep, you can vote as many times as you want. I actually set the page as my start page so I vote every time I open a new window.

[cmw00]

Is there a place to vote where you don't have to go through the extra curricular crap after you make your selections?

And since we can vote multiple times we should seriously write in Jeff Daniels!

[Shell]

The quickest way is to click here:
http://www2.nhl.com/allstar2004/US-allstar.html

Fill in your votes and click Submit and Exit

You do have to give a (fake) email address, birthday, and answer some yes/no questions each time. Then hit submit.

My write in vote goes to Cole every time.. I am curious about your desire to write in JD though since you think he's worthless. Is it to mock him or are you being serious?

[cmw00]

It'd just be funny to see him on an allstar team. but I've been voting Cole also...

Been voting O'Neil, Francis, Markov, Chara, Kovalchuk, various goalies in the east. West: Palffy, Naslund, Demitra, Pronger, Lidstrom, Cujo, and every 2nd or 3rd voting I've been going with an unamed russian center......

[Jeff O Rocks]

Are they passing out the ballots at the arena?? I have yet to receive any.. :roll: I gotta vote! :spin:

[BamBamCaneFan]

Is there any reason that there are 15 West conf goalies and only 8 East conf goalies to choose from. It the East net-minding that bad?

[talkingcanes]

Are they passing out the ballots at the arena?? I have yet to receive any.. :roll: I gotta vote! :spin:

they passed them out as you went in for the last game. I guess they'll do the same tonight or you can vote online at NHL.com.

[RIO]

I don't know about any of you, but I keep compulsively voting for Big Al even though he has no eyeballs anymore. I'd still like to see him there though as gruesome as that might be. :crazy:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I don't know about any of you, but I keep compulsively voting for Big Al even though he has no eyeballs anymore. I'd still like to see him there though as gruesome as that might be. :crazy:

Well, you always were a complete and utter sicko. :sick:

;) :kiss:

[StormShaman]

I've been voting every day online. Vote all-Canes in the East (alternating between Ron and Rod for Center), and random guys in the West with a write-in for a certain Big Czech Defenseman. :)

[SouthernHockeyChick]

with a write-in for a certain Big Czech Defenseman. :)

And there is as much or more of an arguement that he should have been on there as Kevin Weekes and Erik Cole.

(meaning none since it's the fan's pick starting line-up ballot but hopefully he'll make the cut when it really matters and people who have some idea of what they are talking about are doing the picking :) )

[RIO]

I don't know about any of you, but I keep compulsively voting for Big Al even though he has no eyeballs anymore. I'd still like to see him there though as gruesome as that might be. :crazy:

Well, you always were a complete and utter sicko. :sick:

;) :kiss:

Guilty as charged. :beatup:

[Shell]

(I moved this here instead of it's own thread)

This is just unbelievable. Among the players the NHL has on their online ballot for the All-Star Game are:

Mike Comrie (holdout)
Jere Lehtinen (three games played)
Dany Heatley (no games played)
Jason Allison (no games played)

In the meantime, Erik Cole and Eric Staal aren't even on the ballot! I'm not saying they necessarily deserve to be in the game, but they have more of right being on the ballot than the players above!

[Guyute]

all-star ballots equate to high school presidential races.

[corylav]

(I moved this here instead of it's own thread)

This is just unbelievable. Among the players the NHL has on their online ballot for the All-Star Game are:

Mike Comrie (holdout)
Jere Lehtinen (three games played)
Dany Heatley (no games played)
Jason Allison (no games played)

In the meantime, Erik Cole and Eric Staal aren't even on the ballot! I'm not saying they necessarily deserve to be in the game, but they have more of right being on the ballot than the players above!

thanks, Shell .... hadn't seen this thread

[Shell]

Vote early and often!!

Kovalchuk leads East in balloting
Canadian Press
12/2/2003

NEW YORK (CP) - Atlanta Thrashers sniper Ilya Kovalchuk leads the Eastern Conference with 41,820 votes in early balloting for the NHL all-star game.

New Jersey Devils dominate the voting for the Eastern Conference's defensive end. Martin Brodeur leads all goaltenders with 40,487 while Scott Stevens (31,806 votes) and Scott Niedermayer (29,547) are the top-two blue-liners.

Boston Bruins star Joe Thornton leads all centres with 20,868 votes while Ottawa Senators sniper Marian Hossa, with 21,731, is second to Kovalchuk among wingers.

Voting continues through Dec. 31. The Minnesota Wild will host the all-star Feb. 8 at the Xcel Energy Center.

[RIO]

I vote everyday! :D *puts a "I Voted" sticker on her lapel*

I alternate my write-in with various Hurricanes. Erik would be a great addition to the All-Star line-up. :)

[Turbulence]

My write-ins alternate between Cole and Weekes...both certainly deserve a shot at the big game.
If the vote were done today O would probably be going for us again...that that isn't indicitive of his play, compared to that of Vasicek, Cole or even Weekes. And Francis deserves to play in this game in his last season. I know....current season performance...yada yada. 2nd in points has to count for something. Give Ronnie his due.

[MeanGene]

Keep Voting!!

The deadline is the 31st.

The Canes are pushing for Weekes for the Write In.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Keep Voting!!

The deadline is the 31st.

The Canes are pushing for Weekes for the Write In.

I have voted many times..and always write Weekesy in....I have been alternating centers.. ;)

[RIO]

I want to see Yzerman and Francis together. That would thoroughly jazz me. :D And I vote for Boogie as the write-in JUST BECAUSE he's the Boogie. Nuff said. :smoke:

I reckon we'll be seeing a plethora of Devils this year in the All-Star line-up.

[Stormbringer]

I want to see Yzerman and Francis together. That would thoroughly jazz me. :D

I'm by no means a fan of the Wings, but I do like Yzerman...and seeing him and Ronnie together would indeed rock. Talk about a dynamic duo... :smoke:

[RIO]

I want to see Yzerman and Francis together. That would thoroughly jazz me. :D

I'm by no means a fan of the Wings, but I do like Yzerman...and seeing him and Ronnie together would indeed rock. Talk about a dynamic duo... :smoke:

Steve and Ronnie. If I didnt have my pink high heels on right now my head might explode from the sheer foxy talentedness of it all. :evil:

Anyone forthcoming about their goalie choices for the West?

[canes4ever63]

It's supposed to be based on CURRENT performance.

If Jeff is on the ballad for his CURRENT performace there is something wrong with who ever choses who is on the ballad. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with him, but he's not had a great year. Only two goals, that's pretty bad...

[Shell]

Anyone forthcoming about their goalie choices for the West?
I have been putting in Cujo heh

It's supposed to be based on CURRENT performance.

If Jeff is on the ballad for his CURRENT performace there is something wrong with who ever choses who is on the ballad. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with him, but he's not had a great year. Only two goals, that's pretty bad...
It can't be based on current performance. Dany Heatley is on there and he hasn't played a game this season obviously. Gaborik was still holding out when the ballot was developed. Mike Comrie is on there and he is holding out and hasn't played a game. MacInnis only played 3 games before getting badly injured. Plenty more of those and plenty more superstars having bad seasons. Jeff shines next to a lot of em!

[Jeff O Rocks]

Jeff shines next to a lot of em!

Here here! ;) and he is the second leading scorer on the team..at least his assists are keeping him in there.. :spin: I hope he can start scoring again soon..

[RIO]

http://www.nhl.com/onthefly/news/2003/12/188482.html

Current Western conference leaders... i couldnt find a list for the East.

[Shell]

here is the East:
http://cnnsi.co.il/2003/hockey/nhl/12/04/east.voting/index.html

Ronnie is #8 of centers, Brindy is 17th (ahead of Primeau ;))
O'Neill is 12th among wingers. Markov is 11th among D-men.

[Lady J]

I've been putting Bobby for my write-in as well :) I'll be really disappointed if the All Stars game is loaded up with Avs. They bore me to tears.

[RIO]

Current standings for Canes:

Centers:

Ron: 7th, 15,435 votes (Joe Thornton is #1. Do you people want that? well, do you?! )

Rod: 15th, 6,593 votes


D-Men:

Danny: 9th, 21,384 votes (Scott Stevens is #1)



Wingers:

O'Neill: 10th, 20,139 votes (Kovalchuk is #1, and deservedly so)



Goalies:

No Canes, but I hear many have been writing in Kevin. Brodeur is #1 in the standings.

[MeanGene]

http://www.nhl.com/onthefly/news/2003/12/195468.html

Most recent Standings. Our boys need help!! Keep Voting!

[Shell]

The results come out tomorrow!

[caniac369]

To add to Shell's post, I got the following email today from NHL.com...

NHL All-Star Starters to be announced on ESPN/TSN
Jan. 6, 2004

NEW YORK - The starting lineups for the 2004 National Hockey League All-Star Game will be announced exclusively on ESPN in the United States and on TSN in Canada on Thursday, Jan. 8. The starting squads for the Eastern and Western Conferences will be announced live, during ESPN's SportsCenter as well as within TSN's SportsCentre, at approximately 6:30 p.m., ET. The complete 2004 All-Star rosters will be announced during ESPN Thursday Night Hockey and the NHL on TSN on Thursday, Jan. 22 (7:30 p.m. ET) when the Philadelphia Flyers visit the New York Rangers.

A calendar of upcoming announcements concerning 2004 NHL All-Star Weekend is listed below.
January
Jan. 8: All-Star Starters Announced on ESPN and TSN at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET

Jan. 9: All-Star Coaches Announced

Jan. 22: Complete All-Star Game Rosters Announced on ESPN Thursday Night Hockey & the NHL on TSN (PHI at NYR, 7:30 p.m. ET)

Jan. 24: NHL YoungStars Rosters and Coaches Announced during CBC Hockey Night in Canada broadcast (TOR at MTL, 7 p.m. ET; NSH at EDM/T.B. at CGY, 10 p.m. ET)

February
Feb. 7: NHL All-Star Saturday, St. Paul, Minn. (ESPN, CBC, RDS, NHL Radio, 7 p.m. ET), including the NHL YoungStars Game presented by Upper Deck & Dodge/NHL All-Star SuperSkills Competition

Feb. 8: 2004 NHL All-Star Game, St. Paul, Minn. (ABC, CBC, RDS, NHL Radio, 3 p.m. ET)

[Lady J]

No Steve Yzerman. :\ Oh well, give his poor legs a rest.

But Martin Brodeur getting to go is exciting, even if highly expected.

[Shell]

Devils, Stars dominate All-Star starters
By Shawn P. Roarke | NHL.com
January 8, 2004

For almost a decade, the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils have been among the most successful franchises in the NHL, winning three Stanley Cup titles in that span. Today, three of the players responsible for that extended run of excellence, earned some well-deserved individual accolades.

Goaltender Martin Brodeur, rugged defenseman Scott Stevens and two-way defenseman Scott Niedermayer were all named to the Eastern Conference starting lineup for the 2004 NHL All-Star Game in St. Paul, Minn. It is the first time in New Jersey's history that three players have been named to the game's starting lineup, which was announced live Thursday night on ESPN and TSN.

"We take a lot of pride in our team here," says Brodeur, who will be making his third start and seventh appearance in All-Star competition. "But, for this, you get voted in by the fans, which is a different thing. To have three guys (named starters), that's pretty exciting."

Brodeur earned 136,495 votes to get the starting nod in net. Stevens, who will be making his 14th All-Star Game appearance, managed 121,838 votes and Niedermayer, one of five players to earn their first starting nod in the midseason game, received 104,567 votes.

In the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars equaled New Jersey's feat by placing three players in the starting lineup. Center Mike Modano, who began his career with the Minnesota North Stars, garnered 86,119 votes. Winger Bill Guerin, MVP of the 2001 All-Star Game, received 86,657 votes. Goalie Marty Turco, making his first All-Star start, tallied 79,305 votes.

They will be joined in the West's starting lineup by Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, the reigning Norris Trophy winner who will be making his sixth-consecutive start. Colorado's Rob Blake, appearing as a starter for the fourth time in five seasons, is the other defenseman. He led all Western players in the voting, gaining 104,809 votes. Vancouver power forward Todd Bertuzzi, who had 46 goals and 97 points last season, is the other starting forward and the only other Western player to gain more than 100,000 votes.

In the East, Atlanta winger Ilya Kovalchuk was the top vote-getter earning 145,380 votes. Presently, Kovalchuk is second in the League in goals (22) and tied for the points lead (46).

He is joined by Tampa Bay winger Martin St. Louis, who is making his first All-Star start, and Boston center Joe Thornton, who leads the Bruins in scoring with 37 points in 41 contests.

But, it is the Devils, who stated their claim to hockey greatness with their seven-game ouster of the upstart Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, who will be one of the main storylines of this game. All three starters have won three Cups, playing on the 1995 and 2000 Cup-winning teams, as well as last season's title squad.

"I'm excited because I'll have my two boys in front me," said Brodeur, pointing to Stevens and Niedermayer. "It's one thing when people in the League think that we're deserving of it, but it's something else when the fans make that decision."

The 2004 NHL All-Star Game will be played Sunday, Feb. 8 (3 p.m. ET, ABC, CBC, RDS, NHL Radio), at the Xcel Energy Center, home of the Minnesota Wild. The remaining players on the Eastern and Western Conference All-Star rosters, to be selected by the NHL's Hockey Operations Department, in conjunction with League general managers, will be announced Thursday, Jan. 22 during ESPN's Thursday Night Hockey in the United States and on TSN in Canada.

The All-Star Fan Balloting Program, in its 18th year, also provided fans the opportunity for the first time to vote for the NHL Legendary All-Star Team, presented by Nextel.

The ballot consisted of all retired NHL players who were selected to seven or more NHL All-Star Games, and included such all-time greats as Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Bobby Orr. The Legendary All-Star Team will be announced during the 54th NHL All-Star Game.

The NHL All-Star Game is the centerpiece of NHL All-Star Weekend, which includes the Kellogg's Frosted Flakes/NHL All-Star Practice, the Dodge/NHL SuperSkills Competition and the NHL YoungStars Game presented by Upper Deck on Saturday, Feb. 7, plus NHL All-Star FANtasy.

NHL All-Star FANtasy is a one-of-a-kind hockey and entertainment extravaganza that will be staged at Saint Paul RiverCentre from Tuesday, Feb. 3 through Saturday, Feb. 7. FANtasy will offer fans the chance to participate in and experience more than 30 hockey-themed attractions and exhibits.

[murda338]

You know whats scary, is that Belfours 2nd in goalies... and he well...he sucks, id take weekes over his bum butt anyday